| 摘要 |
A process for regenerating media filters used to filter geothermal brine, especially flashed and clarified, silica-rich brine, comprises flowing steam through the filter in a backflush direction at a rate and for a time duration agitating the filter media and filtered-out material. The process includes, preferably after the steam flow is stopped, flowing brine, for example, filtered brine, through the filter in the backwash direction to flush out the material loosened and broken up by the steam scour and restratify the media bed components, and may include partially draining the filters prior to the steam scour. Preferably, the steam used for the steam scour is low pressure steam obtained from low pressure flashing of the brine being filtered. Steam flow rates are preferably between about 2 and about 10 SCFM per square foot of filter cross-sectional area in the region of the filter media; steam flow rate is preferably about 5 minutes after any steam quenching has ceased. Backflush brine flow rate is preferably between about 15 and about 30 gpm per square foot of filter cross-sectional area in the filter media region. The brine flow duration is preferably between about 5 and about 15 minutes.
|
